Veneer fastening means



June 18, 1935. N. o GEISINGER VENEER FASTENING MEANS Filed Jan. 16, 1935Patented June 18, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VENEER FASTENINGMEANS Nelson 0. Geisinger, Dover, Ohio Application January 16, 1935,Serial No. 2,080

9 Claims.

My invention relates generally to the application of veneer to walls,said. veneer being composedof relatively thin blocks, tiles or bricksand the like, and more particularly to fastening means for-maintainingveneering units in posi- 'tionon a wall before the mortar is applied tothe joints of the units.

Certain prior veneer wall constructions have provided means for holdingthe veneering units on the wall before the mortar is 'applied, but themembers which engage the units are easily bent or displaced so as tothrow the units out of alignment, with the result that the veneerpresents an unsightly appearance after the mortar is applied.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improvedveneer fastening means which will positively maintain veneering units inproper position and alignment on a wall.

Another object is to provide improved veneer fastening means which iseasily applied to a wall, and which can be applied to a whole section ofthe wall before the veneering units are applied.

A further object is to provide improved veneer fastening means whichrequires a minimum of time and material, and in which the veneeringunits are easily and quickly secured on the wall.

Another object is to provide improved veneer fastening strips adaptedfor permitting-expansion and contraction thereof without disturbing themeans attaching the strips to the wall.

A further object is to provide improved. veneer fastening means to whicheach veneering unit is easily applied and then individually clamped andinterlocked Without danger of chipping or breaking the edges of theunits.

A still further object is to embody all of these features in a simpleand inexpensive construction which provides for great flexibility in theapplication of the veneer covering.

These and other objects are attained by the improvements comprising thepresent invention which may be stated in general terms as includingfastening strips adapted to be attached to a wall at intervals, eachstrip being U-shaped in cross sectionand having a series of projectionsthereon for securing a plurality of veneering units in spaced relation,the units having grooved opposite surfaces for receiving theprojections, the projections at one side of each' unit being preformedto fit in the adjacent groove in the unit when the unit is applied, theprojections at the opposite side of each unit being adapted to be bentinto interlocking engagement with the ad- 'jacent groove of said unitafter said unit is applied, and there being slots in the sides of thefastening strips for receiving and supporting the veneering units inproper alignment.

Referring to the drawing forming part hereof,

Figure l-is a fragmentaryelevation of a wall having a veneer securedthereto by the improved fastening means; I 0

Fig. 2 is a sectional view thereof, as on line 2'--2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detached fragmentary perspective View of one of the improvedfastening strips;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showing thestrip in elevation, and the method of bending alternate projections intointerlocking engagement withadjacent grooved surfaces of the veneeringunits;

Fig; 5 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective View bending tool; and

' Fig. 7 is a'detached perspective view of one of the veneering units.(0

Similar throughout the several views of the drawing.

In Figs. 1 and 2 is shown a portion of a building wall indicatedgenerally at H] and constructed of siding, which may be tongue andgroove siding I I secured to studding in the usual manner. Preferably,theouter surface of the siding II is first covered with some form ofinsulating material shown at l2 before applying the improved veneerfastening means. I

The veneer wall shown in the drawing and described herein is formed ofveneer bricks l3, but other veneering units canbe substituted thereforwithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

The improved veneer fastening means preferably includes the U-shaped orchannel-shaped strips l4 having the web 15 and side flanges l6. Thesestrips are preferably formed from sheet metal and m'ay be galvanized orotherwiserust proofed. v

The strips M are applied to the wall preferably in vertically extendingrows, as shown in Fig. 1, the rows being preferably horizontally spacedapart a distance less than the length of one of the veneer bricks N tobe fastened thereby, so thateach brick will be fastened by two strips asof the shown in Fig. 1.

Each strip I4 is provided with longitudinally spaced projectionspunched-out of the web l5 and preferably extending from the web in thesame direction as the side flanges l6. 'I'heprojections are spacedlongitudinally of the strip in such manner that a veneer brick l3 willfit between each pair of projections, and so that the numerals refer tosimilar parts M bricks after being fitted in the projections will bespaced vertically so as to allow for horizontal mortar joints, asindicated at I1.

. Each brick or veneering unit I3 is provided with grooved oppositesurfaces, that is, the upper and lower surfaces of the brick areprovided with longitudinal grooves indicated at l8. The lower projection|9 of each pair between which a brick |3 fits is preformed to fit orinterlock in the lower groove H! of the brick. In other words, the lowerprojection l9 ofeach pair has its outer end bent upwardly before thebricks are applied, so that when the bricks are applied one between eachpair of projections the outer end 20 of each projection l9 will enterinto and interlock with the lower groove |8 of a brick l3.

The alternate projections 2|, that is, the pro-' 'jections which engagethe upper surface of the. bricks, are formed substantially at rightangles to the web |5 of the strip. Preferably the projections-2| areslightly curved laterally of the strip for a purpose to be hereinafterdescribed.

. Substantially. midway between each pair of projections 20 and 2| ,theweb i5 of each strip is formed or curved outwardly in a substantiallyspherical portion, as shown at 23in Figs. 2 and 3,

and a hole 24 is provided inthe curved portion 23 through which thenails 25 or other means pass for attaching the strips to the wall.Preferably the holes 24 are somewhat. elongated longitudinally of thestrip for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

Preferably each side flange l6 of the strips is provided with slotsindicated at 26 laterally adjacent to each pair of projections l9 and 2|for receivin the veneer brick l3 which is fastened by thatpair ofprojections, and for supporting that brick in alignment with otherbricks on the wall. The slots 26 form lugs 28, the upper surfaces 29 ofwhich are preferably at rightangles to the web 15, and substantially inthe same plane as and laterally adjacent to the projections I9, so thatthey act to support a veneer brick |3 in horizontal position. Byapplying all of the strips 4 to the wall ID in such manner that thesurfaces 29 of thelugs are in horizontal alignment, the horizontalalignment of all of the bricks in each course is positively maintained.,In applying the improved veneer wall construction, the improvedfastening strips M are first attached to the. wall in vertical rows bymeans of nails 25 and the like passing through holes 24 into the sidingII, and the upper surfaces 29 of the brick supporting lugs 28 arelocated in horizontal alignment. The elongated holes 24 provide forslight longitudinal adjustment of the strips as they are being fastened,so as to facilitate alignment of the lugs 28. The curved or sphericalportions 23 of the strips provide for maintaining-a positive clinchingaction between the nail heads and the strips to hold the strips tightlyagainst the wall regardless of. expansion and contraction of the stripsafter they are in place.

After a relatively large section ofthe wall surface has had the securingstrips attached thereto in this manner, the veneer bricks |3 areapplied. These bricks are adapted to be inserted one between each-pairof projections l9 and 2| as best shown in Fig.2, and each brick I3 ispreferablytilted slightly-as it is inserted between the projections sothat its lower groove l9 receives the end 20 of the preformed projectionl9. :Aftel the bricks |3 have been inserted in this niannerthey may beslid horizontally in the strips in order to space them horizontallysufflciently to provide for the vertical mortar joints indicated at 30,and in this manner the vertical mortor joints may be slightly. varied toaccommodate the bricks to irregularities in the wall.

After the bricks have been thus inserted between the pairs ofprojections, the upper projection 2| of each pair may be bent downwardlyat its outer end into interlocking engagement'with the upper groove I8of thebri'ck. A special tool may be provided for this purpose such as isshown at 32 in Fig. 5, and has a protuberance 33 on its underside forengaging the projection 2 I, and lateral ears 34 for bearing upwardlyupon the lower surfaces 35 of the lugs 28. Preferably, the lowersurfaces 35 of lugs 28 are slightly undercut as shown to aid inpreventing accidental withdrawal of the tool during the bendingoperation.

The tool 32 is inserted in a position such as shown in dot-dash lines inFig. 4, with the protuberance 33 bearingon top of a projection 2| to bebent and the ears 34 extending under the lower surfaces 35 of laterallyopposite lugs 28.

By forcing thetool downward to the. full line positio-n, theprotuberance 33 bends the projection 2| into interlocking engagementwith the upper groove I8 of a veneer brick, as shown.

.Since the projections 2| are slightly curved laterally, the projectiongrips or clinches the brick at both'sides of the projection instead ofat one point only, as might be the case if the-projection were fiat.Also the laterally curved shape of the projection strengthens the sameso as to prevent springing back thereof after the bending tool iswithdrawn. I I r.

The supporting lugs 28 provide for positively maintaining the veneeringunits ofeach course in proper alignment on thewall because the bricksare supported on the upper surfaces v of the lugs instead of on theeasily bent projections onthe web. Moreover, when the upper projection2| of each pair is bent into interlocking engagement with the uppergrooved surface of each brick, the action of the clamping tool 32 is toforce the brick downwardly against the solid supporting lugs 28, so thatthe alignment of the bricks is not affected. 7 a

Due to the fact that the horizontal spacing of the strips may be variedslightly to fit irregularities in the wall, and that the bricksmay bemoved horizonally after being inserted between the. pairs ofprojections, the. present improved veneer construction provides the sameflexibility during construction as is present in the layingup of anordinary brick wall by a mason.

The veneering bricks or units are easily'applied and interlocked in theimproved fastening means without danger of chipping or breaking theedges of the bricks, and the improve d fastening means are simple andinexpensive to manufacture and to install. 3 j I Obviously, the improvedfastening strips may be arranged on the wall in invertedposition, or

in horizontal rows instead. of vertical rows without departing from thescope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 2' 1 V 1. Inveneer wallconstruction, a wall; spaced strips on the wall, meansattaching the strips; to the wall, each strip being U-shaped incrosssection and having longitudinally spaced projections, a pluralityof .veneering'units each fitting between a pair of said projections, andthere being slots in the sides of each strip in which saidvaneeringunits are received andsupported in alignment with other units on thewall.

2. In veneer wall construction, a wall, spaced strips on the wall, meansattaching the strips to the wall, each strip being U-shaped in crosssection and having longitudinally spaced projections, a plurality ofveneering units each having grooved opposite surfaces and fittingbetween a pair of said projections, one projection of each pair beingpreformed to fit in the adjacent groove of a unit when the unit isapplied and the other projection of said pair being adapted to be bentinto interlocking engagement with the opposite groove of said unit afterthe same is applied, and there being slots in the sides of each strip inwhich said veneering units are received and supported in alignment withother units on the wall.

3. In veneer wall construction, a wall, spaced strips on the wall, meansattaching the strips to the wall, each strip having longitudinallyspaced projections intermediate its sides, a plurality of,

veneering units each fitting between a pair of said projections, andmeans at the sides of each strip for supporting said veneering unitstherein in alignment with other units on the wall.

4. In veneer wall construction, a wall, spaced strips on the wall, meansattaching the strips to the wall, each strip having longitudinallyspaced projections intermediate its sides, a plurality ofveneering-units each having grooved opposite surfaces and fittingbetween a pair of said projections, one projection of each pair beingpreformed to fit in the adjacent groove of a unit when the unit isapplied and the other projection of each pair being adapted to be bentinto interlocking engagement with the opposite groove of said unit afterthe same is applied, and means at the sides of each strip for supportingsaid veneering units therein in alignment with other units on the wall.

5. In veneer wall construction, a wall, spaced strips on the wall, meansattaching the strips to the wall, each strip having longitudinallyspaced projectionsinterrnediate its sides, a plurality of veneeringunits each having grooved opposite surfaces and fitting between a pairof said projections, one projection of each pair being preformed to fitin the adjacent groove of a unit when the unit is applied and the otherprojection of each pair being adapted to be bent into interlockingengagement with the opposite groove of said unit after the same isapplied, and veneering unit supporting lugs at the sides of each strip,the upper surface of each supporting lug being laterally adjacent to apreformed projection for supporting a unit in alignment with other unitson the wall, and the lower surface of each supporting lug being adaptedto bear against a tool during the bending of another projection intointerlocking engagement with the groove in another veneering unit.

6. In veneer wall construction, .a wall, spaced strips on the wall eachhaving longitudinally spaced projections, a plurality of veneering unitseach fitting between a pair of said projections, and means extendingthrough the strips between the projections for attaching the strips tothe wall, there being curved portions formed in the strips adjacent theattaching means for permitting expansion and contraction of the stripswithout disturbing the attaching means.

'7. In veneer wall construction, a wall, spaced strips on the wall,means attaching the strips to the wall, each strip having longitudinallyspaced projections intermediate its sides, a plurality'of veneeringunits each having grooved opposite surfaces and fitting between a pairof said projections, each pair of said projections being interlockinglyengaged with opposite grooved surfaces of a unit, and means at the sidesof each strip for supporting said veneering units therein in alignmentwith other units on thewall.

8. The method of applying oppositely grooved veneering units to a wallby means of fastening strips having spaced projections, includingpreforming alternate projections to fit one groove of a unit, insertinga unit between each pair of projcctions with the preformed projectionfitting in one groove of said unit, and then bending the otherprojection into interlocking engagement with the opposite groove of saidunit.

9. In a method of applying veneering units having grooved oppositesurfaces to a wall by means of fastening strips having spacedprojections, the steps of preforming alternate projections to fit in onegroove of each unit before the unit is applied, and bending the otherprojectionsinto interlocking engagement with the opposite groove of eachunit after said unit is applied.

NELSON o. GEISINGER.

